Undergraduate Research Weekhttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/30647
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:32:38 GMT2016-12-09T15:32:38ZThe transgenerational effects of prenatal BPA exposure on gonadal development and behaviorhttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/91661
The transgenerational effects of prenatal BPA exposure on gonadal development and behavior
Salter, Rekia
This study tested the hypothesis that prenatal Bisphenol A (BPA) may have a trans generationally effects on gonadal development and cognitive behavior (memory and anxiety) in male mice. Prenatal exposure was done by orally dosing pregnant female CD-1 mice with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle control) or BPA (0.5 μg/kg/day, 20 μg/kg/day, 50 μg/kg/day) from gestation day 11 to birth. Histology of the testis was performed on the F1 generation at the ages of postnatal day (PND) 60 and Postnatal month (PNM) 15 to determine the impact of prenatal BPA exposure to gonadal development. The F3 generation at 10 months of age had their fertility was assessed. Serum testosterone levels were measured at the age of 11 months. The F3 generation was also tested in cognitive behavior through open field, novel object, and elevated plus maze testing at 11 months of age. F1 generation mice that were exposed to BPA doses (.5 – 50 μg/kg/day) exhibited slight gonadal abnormities in PND 60. However, at age of 15 months obvious histopathological abnormalities and defects were observed. In the F3 generation only mice exposed to the low dose (.5 μg/kg/day) displayed significantly lower fertility. The two high dose groups (20-50 μg/kg/day) were found to have significantly lower serum testosterone levels. F3 generation mice exposed to (.5 – 50 μg/kg/day) demonstrated significantly less memory function. However only the two high dose groups (20-50 μg/kg/day) displayed significantly more anxiety. This study found that a prenatal exposure to BPA is transgenerational and may give a lifelong impact on male fertility, testosterone level and cognitive behavior.
Transgenerational Effects of Bisphenol A; Bisphenol A
Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/916612016-07-15T00:00:00ZSalter, RekiaCaring for our Heroes: Exploring effects on Pre and Post 9/11 veteran caregivershttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/91644
Caring for our Heroes: Exploring effects on Pre and Post 9/11 veteran caregivers
Smith, Abisola
Caregivers of veteran’s care for veterans after they come back from war. They provide a range of services necessary to help the veteran adjust to civilian life. In this literature review, the investigation focuses on the type of services veterans need and the kind of care their caregivers provide. This study also explores the effects of caring for the veteran on the caregivers. Also, this study explores what caregivers need to cope while caring for the veteran. To achieve these goals, we examined the history of the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror. We explored how these wars affected veterans physically and mentally. I reviewed the literature to learn how caregivers care for the veterans and whether that care is causing a strain on the caregiver. Results from my investigation show that caregivers deal with various forms of hardships, such as physical and mental problems, family and marital problems, as well as financial problems. Younger caregivers are known to have more stressful trauma such as secondary trauma than older caregivers because younger caregivers are caring for veterans that are dealing with recent PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Younger caregivers also tend to have less income, making it more likely that they will experience financial difficulties. Given the lack of research on caregivers’ needs, future research should focus on specific needs caregivers gave and developed while caring for a veteran. Additionally, future research should explore services that can address the caregiver needs.
caregivers; veterans
Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/916442016-04-01T00:00:00ZSmith, AbisolaWork Hard, Play Hard: A Study on Work and Leisure Activities in Romantic Relationshipshttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/91540
Work Hard, Play Hard: A Study on Work and Leisure Activities in Romantic Relationships
Beck, Sydney T.; Ogolsky, Brian; Monk, James K.
While stress in relationships is usually most apparent during very difficult life situations, everyday stress can go undetected as being an important problem in romantic relationships. This study focused on how everyday stress from arguments affects couples and the maintenance of their relationship. Specifically, I looked at how individual work and leisure habits are viewed by their significant other and how disagreement over these activities lead to arguments between partners. This study focused on quantitative data taken from past research in Dr. Brian Ogolsky's commitment and relationships study. More precisely, it examined the significant work and leisure activities that were related to the greatest increases in stress in a relationship. Implications from the research could help couple acknowledge and remedy the everyday disagreements in their relationship.
romantic relationships; work; leisure; satisfaction
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/915402016-01-01T00:00:00ZBeck, Sydney T.Ogolsky, BrianMonk, James K.Breast Milk Composition, Milk Intake, and Their Relationship to Infant Weight Gainhttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90298
Breast Milk Composition, Milk Intake, and Their Relationship to Infant Weight Gain
Varney, Claire
An infant’s growth pattern over the first year of life sets the trajectory for growth during childhood. Rapid weight gain in infancy is a risk factor for childhood obesity in both breastfed and formula-fed infants. However, due to variation among mother-infant pairs, it is unclear how milk macronutrient composition and infant milk intake, as well as other maternal factors, contribute to infant growth in the first year of life. Milk samples were collected and infant milk intake over a 24-hour period was measured at 6 weeks postpartum from healthy mother-infant pairs (N = 122) enrolled in the STRONG Kids 2 cohort at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Infants weighed an average of 7.8 ± 1.0 pounds at birth, with 74.6% delivered vaginally and 24.6% by cesarean section. At the time of sample collection, 77.8% of infants were breastfeeding, 13.9% were fed both human milk and formula (combined-feeding) and 6.7% were formula-feeding. Mothers were 31 ± 4.4 years old and had a BMI of 28.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2 at 6 weeks postpartum. Milk protein, fat, carbohydrate, and dry matter are being analyzed and the amount of each macronutrient consumed by infants over 24 h will be calculated. Ongoing analysis will investigate the relationship between milk composition, milk intake, and infant weight over the first year of life.
Breast Milk; Composition; Macronutrient; Intake; Relationship
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902982016-01-01T00:00:00ZVarney, ClaireNuclear Confrontationshttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90266
Nuclear Confrontations
Prasad, Amrutha
The effect of nuclear weapons has long been debated. Some argue that these weapons have a stabilizing effect on already volatile regions and rivals, while others fear that it will only further escalate tensions. This undergraduate thesis studies how relations between countries have changed once a country has attained nuclear weapons. Specifically, whether Militarized Interstate Disputes (MIDs) have increased or decreased before and after the acquisition of nuclear weapons. In order to do so, I look at the severity and occurrence of MIDs to see trends in changes of state attitudes because of nuclear weapons, through the lenses of the three most popular nuclear schools of thought: deterrence, stability/instability paradox and irrelevance.
Nuclear Weapons; MIDs; deterrence; stability/instability paradox; irrelevance
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902662016-01-01T00:00:00ZPrasad, AmruthaEffects of Prairie Management on Soil Characteristics and Beeshttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90265
Effects of Prairie Management on Soil Characteristics and Bees
Vercillo, Christina; Buckles, Brittany; Harmon-Threatt, Alexandra
This research involves four prairie management types: burning, haying, and patch burn grazing (new/old). These management types have the potential to affect certain soil characteristics such as bulk density, pH, and soil type. Our goal was to determine whether these management types affected these soil characteristics between each management type and between top and bottom soils within each type. This study was a part of a larger project which also examined whether prairie management affected bee abundance in these areas. We found significant differences between management types and between top and bottom soils within each type in terms of both bulk density and pH. Despite the fact that 80% of bee species nest in the soil, this topic is under-researched. Although our results regarding bee abundance in prairies employing these management types were not significant, they may provide insight into certain trends for these ground-nesting bees.
ecology; bee; prairie; soil; management
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902652016-01-01T00:00:00ZVercillo, ChristinaBuckles, BrittanyHarmon-Threatt, AlexandraTo me she is perfect: Perceptions of Self-Body Image among Mexican Kindergarten-aged Children and their Mothershttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90263
To me she is perfect: Perceptions of Self-Body Image among Mexican Kindergarten-aged Children and their Mothers
Hosseini, Raha
Obesity is increasingly prevalent in Mexico. Body image proposes a challenge for many obese people, and body image dissatisfaction has been documented as early as elementary school age. Considering Kindergarten-aged children can be influenced by
negative comments about weight, we hypothesized body dissatisfaction of Kindergarten-aged children will be influenced by mother’s body image perceptions. Thus, this preliminary study examines whether maternal perceptions of body image with her body and/or her children’s body, influences the child’s perceptions of their body and their mother’s. The Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale (FRS) was administered to 12 Mexican
mothers and their children in a low income Kindergarten in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Mothers and children were asked separately to identify their “real figures,” and their “ideal figures” in a figure scale. Children’s perceptions of their mother’s “real figure”
differed significantly from mother’s self-perceptions (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, children’s satisfaction with their mothers “real figure” and mother’s satisfaction with their own “real figure” were significantly different (p < 0.005). While all but one mother wished to lose weight, 50% of children were satisfied with their mothers’ figure (6/12), and 42% thought their mother needed to gain weight. There were no significant differences between children and mother’s perceptions of child’s figure (p= .75), child’s ideal figure (p= .51), and satisfaction with child’s “real figure” (p= 0.55). Overall, children’s perception of their mothers “real figure” is different than how mothers see themselves. Yet, the child and mother’s perceptions of the child’s current and ideal figure showed little difference.
Body Image; Figure Rating Scale; Perceptions; Obesity
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902632016-01-01T00:00:00ZHosseini, RahaWhen Does a Message Sources Race Impact How That Message Is Received Racial and Social Justice Knowledge, Prejudice, and the Belief in Racism as a Zero-Sum Gamehttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90262
When Does a Message Sources Race Impact How That Message Is Received Racial and Social Justice Knowledge, Prejudice, and the Belief in Racism as a Zero-Sum Game
Duan, Daniel
Race and social justice is a salient issue in the United States, as demonstrated by media coverage of the killing of Trayvon Martin, the killing of Eric Garner, and other similar cases. Consequently, the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) has risen, first on social media and later evolving into an umbrella organization for social activism. However, BLM has been met with controversy, with some claiming that anti-black prejudice is overblown and that the movement is illegitimate, especially in comparison to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Given that BLM is primarily led by Black activists, questions of internal biases (whether the arguments advanced by BLM would be better received if they were advanced by White people) come into play. This research asks how the race of an author can affect how that authors message is received when that message reflects modern issues surrounding race and social justice. Additionally, this study tests subjects for various preexisting factors: knowledge of racial and social justice issues, prejudice, and the perception of racism as a zero-sum game (a phenomenon illuminated by Norton and Sommers, 2011). In this study, as subjects prejudice increased, so did their dislike of an article about BLM when that article was written by a black author. When the same article was written by a white author, there was no significant difference in how much subjects liked it, regardless of prejudice. The same pattern followed for how subjects rated how much they liked the author of the article.
prejudice; racism; attitudes; social justice
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902622016-01-01T00:00:00ZDuan, DanielExperimental Search for Determinants of Ligament Healthhttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90261
Experimental Search for Determinants of Ligament Health
Rabin, Edden
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four ligaments which stabilize the knee during movement. Today, ACL injury is on the rise, occurring more than 200,000 times per yearmost often in agility sports. With so many people affected by ACL injury, the medical community stands to benefit from an understanding of the observable attributes which characterize ligament health. Such an understanding would allow standard MRI screenings to be utilized in determining a patients susceptibility to ligament damage and detecting damage which has occurred prior to tearing.
This study aims to relate ligament composition and microstructure observed in MRI with ligament health characterized by mechanical testing. For this, a porcine knee was used and T2 and T1 MRI data was obtained prior to mechanical testing. The specimen was then dissected to leave only the femur-ACL-tibia complex intact. The femur and tibia were potted into fixtures which mount to the base and crosshead of a load frame. An auxiliary load cell was used to record force data, while a motion capture system tracked the ACLs length during testing. Elastic tensile testing was used to measure stiffness. Current work includes sensitivity analysis of the transformation from the stiffness data to the elastic modulusa material property of ligaments. This will be compared to the samples MRI data, which characterizes composition and microstructure. Repeating this procedure for many samples will reveal underlying correlations between ACL health and composition.
biomechanics; ligament; health; knee
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902612016-01-01T00:00:00ZRabin, EddenStudies on the interaction of health professionals with the U.S. Latino/a populationhttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/90259
Studies on the interaction of health professionals with the U.S. Latino/a population
Benson, Maura C.
There is an urgent and growing need for health practitioners who are bilingual and possess cultural competence, yet a pedagogical tool to shine light on this type of prowess cannot be found in our education nor our healthcare systems. This participatory action research project will culminate with a set of case studies to be used with undergraduate-level students of Spanish. The case studies will serve to inform students on the existing language and cultural barrier in the U.S. healthcare system and to inspire conversation and problem-solving regarding the linguistic and cultural needs of a patient with limited English proficiency or without legal citizen status.
latino/a; policy; healthcare; cultural competence; language barriers
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/2142/902592016-01-01T00:00:00ZBenson, Maura C.